Gary Reed Clanton

Gary Reed Clanton passed away on August 1, 2025 after a seven-year battle against throat cancer. He met the challenge with courage and good humor. He always encouraged other patients and joked with the nurses and doctors. Gary was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on December 27, 1942, to parents John Reed Clanton and Ethyl “Patty” Clanton (Watkins). He had one sister, Diane Benson Comins. He grew up in the Wedgewood neighborhood of Seattle, graduating from the University of Washington School of Business in 1965. Gary was a lifetime Husky. Every fall for more than 40 years, he could be found sitting in Husky Stadium, cheering on his Dawgs.

Gary worked for the Boeing Company for 35 years. As Director of Major Structures, he used his management skills and knowledge to open up new business opportunities in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, China and Italy. At the close of his career, Gary was Vice President of Operations for China. No matter what country he worked in, he made new friendships that lasted even after retirement. In the course of his work, he mentored many of his young employees. He loved the airplane industry, worked hard and was proud to build safe, quality planes for Boeing.

Gary met his wife of 60 years, Arlene Kammenga, at the University of Washington. Together, they bought a home in Bothell and raised two children, John Clanton and Meghan Foley. They had the immense pleasure of being grandparents to Sydney Clanton, Jack Foley and Paige Foley. His children say, “He was simply the best – everything a dad could be and more. Supportive, kind, full of wisdom but playful and fun at the same time. He was always there with unconditional love. And he expected us to be our best and led by example.” His family relied on him to have an answer for every question or problem. While he was very intelligent, he knew the answer because he was curious enough to find it. He loved to learn about history, people (he never met a stranger), medicine, planes, how-to’s… the list goes on. He never stopped learning.

Gary loved to do many things. There was camping every summer with the extended Clanton family to Mount Rainier. For him, the highlight was flyfishing on the Ohanapecosh River and teaching John and Meghan, nieces and nephews the art of it. He got to tell his stories and jokes. One joke in particular was always requested, not because it was so funny, but because he always started “fall out of your chair” laughing before he could finish it.

His boat was another source of enjoyment (if it didn’t need repairs). Whether on Lake Washington or the San Juan Islands for an extended vacation, he loved the smell and feel of being on the water.

Travel satisfied his sense of adventure and curiosity. Besides car, train or plane trips, Gary took countless cruises on the Pacific to Tahiti, Asia, Hawaii, Alaska and Mexico and on the Atlantic to the Caribbean, London, Scandinavia, Russia and the Mediterranean. Sometimes with family and friends, sometimes just he and Arlene. Gardening was a favorite activity of his. He turned the backyard of his newly built home into a park-like setting. Watching things grow gave him great satisfaction.

When our family pictures Gary in their minds, they will always see him in his 501 Levi’s, plaid shirts and worn Topsider shoes (not his new ones). He was steady in his clothing choices and in life. He was a classic.

Burial is at Acacia Memorial Park.